An Open-Source Web Platform for 3D Documentation and Storytelling of Hidden Cultural Heritage

The rapid evolution of the urban landscape highlights the need to digitally document the state and historical transformations of heritage sites in densely urbanised areas through the combination of different geomatics survey approaches. Moreover, it is necessary to raise awareness of sites by developing strategies for their dissemination to a diverse audience through engaging, interactive, and accessible 3D web platforms. This work illustrates a methodology for the digital documentation and narration of a cultural heritage site through the implementation of a lightweight and replicable 3D navigation platform based on open-source technologies. Such a solution aims to be an easy-to-implement low-cost approach. The methodology is applied to the case study of the Farnese Castle in Piacenza (Italy), describing the data collection and documentation carried out with an in situ survey and illustrating how the resulting products were integrated into the web platform. The exploration functionalities of the platform and its potential for different types of audiences, from experts to users not familiar with 3D objects and geomatics products, were evaluated and documented on a ReadTheDocs website, allowing interested users to reproduce the project for other applications thanks to the template code available on GitHub

FROM 3D SURVEY TO DIGITAL REALITY OF A COMPLEX ARCHITECTURE: A DIGITAL WORKFLOW FOR CULTURAL HERITAGE PROMOTION

In recent years, the digitalization and dissemination of historical heritage have become crucial nodes in the preservation and valorization of Cultural Heritage (CH). Technologies such as Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) and terrestrial photogrammetry, Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS) and handheld Simultaneous Localisation and Mapping (SLAM) laser scanning allow the generation of digital models of architecture that can be explored through interactive web platforms, such as those based on WebGL graphic library. These are considered one of the most promising innovations for digitizing and sharing CH site due to their application in a wide range of contexts, promoting new forms of interaction with architecture at different scales. Additionally, the use of geomatic tools allows for a more complete 3D reconstruction and evaluation of the results by comparing different techniques. The article focuses on digitization as a tool for documenting and sharing CH assets, with the aim of developing a replicable prototype platform for an immersive Virtual Tour (VT) of an art collection and the architectural complex in which it is resided. In addition, this paper presents the results of a case study conducted at the Ricci Oddi Gallery of Modern Art in Piacenza, Italy. The source code of the implemented application is available on GitHub to permit replicability for other case studies

Nuove applicazioni per le unità abitative in emergenza: tecnologie e tecniche della tradizione costruttiva andina amazonica

This work reports the result of a research activity conducted in Bolivia in the year 2020, in synergy between Bolivian Polytechnic University School "Josè Maria Nunez del Prado", University of Naples Federico II and Pegaso Telematic University. In particular, the research had as its object the study of a housing unit suitable for coping with the floods that frequently afflict some Bolivian peasant populations. During the research, much attention was initially paid to the historical, political, socio-economic aspects and to the cultural and traditional characteristics of the ethnic groups that make up the population of Bolivia; subsequently, the morphology and hydrography of the Bolivian territory were examined, as well as the climate, the trend of rainfall and the El Niño and La Niña phenomena that often cause floods with serious risks for the populations, especially rural ones. Having completed these first two phases of the research, the authors moved on to the study of the traditional construction characteristics of rural architecture, paying particular attention to the basic construction materials used in the peasant areas of Bolivia, in particular to raw earth and bamboo, as well as the principles and rules that regulate the construction of rural housing in Bolivia. For rural architecture, the traditional Pawichi house and the traditional dwellings of the indigenous Chiquitana population were examined in detail. Only after having acquired all these important aspects, the research became interested in the design of a new rural house which, respecting Bolivian cultural traditions, would be able to cope with floods and reduce the risks associated with them. In the design of this new emergency housing unit, the authors focused their attention not only on the compositional and functional aspects of the housing unit, but also on the constructive aspects by designing new structural elements such as the pillars made with five bamboo canes suitably linked together. with knots of the Andean construction tradition. The composition of the housing unit proposed by the authors is governed by a basic 4x4 module that can be full, or delimited by infill and window frames, or empty, or without surrounding infill elements to allow the creation of the traditional place for socialization, the Punilla. Never as in this case have, I been particularly happy with the invitation formulated by the authors, and in particular by the young researchers, Francesca Volpe and Emanuele La Mantia, to present their work. In fact, I was able to see the procedural quality of the research and the intelligent design procedure that led to the definition of a housing prototype of great interest for the Andean populations

Durabilità del cemento armato e le classi di esposizione ambientale.

Le cause di aggressione dovute all’ambiente possono essere formalmente suddivise in chimiche, fisiche, meccaniche e biologiche (tabella 4.1). In realtà, difficilmente in un processo di degradazione esiste un solo fenomeno aggressivo, spesso sono più cause che concorrono al deterioramento del materiale; tuttavia però esiste sempre quella che può essere definita la causa fondamentale che innesca il processo degradante. Per garantire la durabilità delle strutture in calcestruzzo armato ordinario o precompresso, esposte all’azione dell’ambiente, si devono adottare i provvedimenti atti a limitare gli effetti di degrado indotti dall’attacco chimico, fisico e derivante dalla corrosione delle armature e dai cicli di gelo e disgelo, in relazione alla norma europea UNI-EN 206-1. In accordo con la norma UNI-EN 206-1 e con quella italiana UNI 11104 il livello di rischio per una determinata opera dipende dall’ambiente cui la stessa è esposta. The causes of aggression due to the environment can be formally divided into chemical, physical, mechanical and biological (table 4.1). In reality, in a degradation process there is hardly a single aggressive phenomenon, often there are several causes that contribute to the deterioration of the material; however, there is always what can be defined as the fundamental cause that triggers the degrading process. To ensure the durability of ordinary or pre-stressed reinforced concrete structures exposed to the action of the environment, measures must be taken to limit the effects of degradation induced by chemical and physical attack and resulting from the corrosion of the reinforcements and cycles of freeze and thaw, in relation to the European standard UNI-EN 206-1. In accordance with the UNI-EN 206-1 standard and the Italian UNI 11104 standard, the level of risk for a given work depends on the environment to which it is exposed

A GEO-DATABASE FOR 3D-AIDED MULTI-EPOCH DOCUMENTATION OF BRIDGE INSPECTIONS

The recent collapse of bridges in Italy has prompted numerous studies on monitoring and maintenance. Many structures in Italy have been in service for over 50 years, necessitating new approaches to ensure their safety. To address this issue, Italy's Consiglio Superiore dei Lavori Pubblici (Superior Council of Public Works) has developed the Guidelines for Risk Classification and Management, proposing a multi-level approach to bridge management within a complex geomorphological environment. The guidelines outline a multi-level process that includes surveying the structures, conducting detailed inspections, and assigning risk classes based on hazard, exposure, and vulnerability. Current inspection processes are time-consuming and costly. Therefore, alternative monitoring technologies are crucial. Unmanned aerial vehicles equipped with cameras, laser technologies, and GPS systems offer flexible and cost-effective solutions for visual inspection. These technologies enable the collection of both quantitative and qualitative data, such as size, material properties, and overall condition. In this context, efficient data management and exploration systems are necessary to handle the vast amount of geo-referenced information. Multi-epoch databases play a crucial role in documenting the conditions of bridges and supporting a maintenance and structural health monitoring workflow. These databases can be utilized within a Bridge Management System to aid road managers in decision-making processes. Additionally, 3D exploration platforms provide visual analysis and highlight areas of interest within the structure. This work presents a multi-epoch geo-database that adheres to the Italian guidelines, offering optimized data management and queryability for 2D and 3D information. The entire process is designed using open-source and reproducible solutions

Bridging geomatics theory to real-world applications in alpine surveys through an innovative summer school teaching program

Teaching experience in geomatics heavily relies on hands-on activities, but field surveys for educational purposes are usually conducted in controlled environments without proper connection to real-world scenarios. Combining the widespread availability of low-cost equipment with the potential of Free and Open Source Software for Geospatial (FOSS4G) in innovative teaching programmes can fill the gap in preparing young professionals in geomatics and surveying for real-world problems and global challenges, including climate change. This paper presents the active learning experience of the Belvedere Glacier Summer School organized annually by the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering of Politecnico di Milano in the Italian Alps. During the week-long programme of theoretical and practical sessions, students from different backgrounds, ranging from Engineering to Architecture and Geoinformatics, transform knowledge into skills by designing and carrying out surveys focused on monitoring the evolution of the glacier volume, using GNSS and UAV photogrammetry, and familiarising with 2D and 3D data processing. In a peer-led environment, participants also contribute to the production of open data (orthophotos, DSM and point measurements) published in Zenodo, fostering teamwork and collaboration not only internally but also with the wider research community

Towards nationally curated data archives for clinical radiology image analysis at scale: Learnings from national data collection in response to a pandemic

The prevalence of the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 disease has resulted in the unprecedented collection of health data to support research. Historically, coordinating the collation of such datasets on a national scale has been challenging to execute for several reasons, including issues with data privacy, the lack of data reporting standards, interoperable technologies, and distribution methods. The coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 disease pandemic has highlighted the importance of collaboration between government bodies, healthcare institutions, academic researchers and commercial companies in overcoming these issues during times of urgency. The National COVID-19 Chest Imaging Database, led by NHSX, British Society of Thoracic Imaging, Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust and Faculty, is an example of such a national initiative. Here, we summarise the experiences and challenges of setting up the National COVID-19 Chest Imaging Database, and the implications for future ambitions of national data curation in medical imaging to advance the safe adoption of artificial intelligence in healthcare

Towards nationally curated data archives for clinical radiology image analysis at scale: learnings from national data collection in response to a pandemic

The prevalence of the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 disease has resulted in the unprecedented collection of health data to support research. Historically, coordinating the collation of such datasets on a national scale has been challenging to execute for several reasons, including issues with data privacy, the lack of data reporting standards, interoperable technologies, and distribution methods. The coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 disease pandemic has highlighted the importance of collaboration between government bodies, healthcare institutions, academic researchers and commercial companies in overcoming these issues during times of urgency. The National COVID-19 Chest Imaging Database, led by NHSX, British Society of Thoracic Imaging, Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust and Faculty, is an example of such a national initiative. Here, we summarise the experiences and challenges of setting up the National COVID-19 Chest Imaging Database, and the implications for future ambitions of national data curation in medical imaging to advance the safe adoption of artificial intelligence in healthcare

Gli edifici per il culto dismessi - Nuove destinazioni d'uso.

La pubblicazione, curata da F. Fascia, raccoglie gli atti del Convegno Nazionale “Gli edifici per il culto dismessi - nuove destinazioni d’uso sostenibili” svoltosi a Roma il 21 maggio 2004. Il Convegno, che ha trattato il tema “Opportunità di rinascita per le chiese sconsacrate” (PRIN 2003) ha visto la partecipazione di studiosi e di operatori impegnati nel settore. Il Convegno, organizzato dall’unità operativa dell’Università di Napoli Federico II, con responsabile scientifico il prof. Renato Iovino, d’intesa con la Scuola di Dottrina Sociale della Chiesa “Girolamo Savonarola” e con Ambiente Azzurro - onlus, ha registrato la partecipazione, tra gli altri, di Padre Eduardo Parlato, responsabile dei Beni culturali della Curia Arcivescovile di Napoli, del prof. Antonio Frattari, responsabile nazionale della ricerca PRIN, del prof. Aldo de Marco, responsabile dell’unità operativa dell’Università degli Studi di Salerno, del prof. Romualdo Montagna, responsabile dell’unità operativa dell’Università Politecnica delle Marche